In a bid to combat Covid-spurt in the National Capital, Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal announced a six-day lockdown from 10 pm on Monday till 5 am on April 26.
Delhi's health system is stretched although it has not collapsed yet, he said, adding that despite around 25,500 cases coming up every day, Delhi's health system is still functioning. But any system has its limit, he said while addressing an online press conference.
The lockdown is needed to prevent the health system of Delhi from collapsing under the increasing number of patients as there is an acute shortage of medicines, beds, ICUs and oxygen, Kejriwal said. Noting that the decision to impose lockdown was not an easy one, Kejriwal appealed to migrants in the city not to leave Delhi.
The government will take good care of them, he said, adding that essential services will be allowed during the lockdown. Kejriwal said that his government will improve the health system in this period.
In its order, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said that movement of people will be allowed for marriage related gatherings and up to 50 people will be permitted to attend a wedding, but they will have to show soft or hard copy of the marriage card. For funerals, 20 people will be allowed to attend.
Essential services will be allowed during the lockdown, but private offices and other establishments like shops, malls, weekly markets, manufacturing units, educational and coaching institutes, cinema halls, restaurants, bars, assembly halls, auditoriums, public parks, sports complexes, gyms, spas, barbershops, saloons and beauty parlors will remain closed.
During the press conference on Monday, Kejriwal said that this decision to impose lockdown was not an easy one for the AAP government as it hurts the poor, daily wagers the most.
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